Detroit Named Most Expensive City to Rent a Car

According to a recent survey conducted by CheapCarRental.net, Detroit is the most expensive U.S. destination for rental car rates this summer.

The survey looked at 50 destinations across the United States and the destinations’ car rental rates across all national car rental companies, comparing rates at pick-up locations both in urban hubs and at airports.

In Detroit, travelers can expect to spend, on average, $446 per week for the most affordable available rental car this summer. Memphis ($425) and Philadelphia ($406) come in second and third for highest average weekly rental car rates in the U.S.

The least expensive U.S. destinations in terms of car rental rates this summer are Orlando and Los Angeles, with average weekly rates of $120 and $130, respectively.

The findings fall in line with relatively affordable average weekly car rental rates across all of California and Florida, with rates across the states generally sticking below $200 per week.In total, rental car rates across the country are down by approximately 15% this year, with rates in some destinations, such as Boston and Seattle, down by nearly 40% in response. While road trip travel is up this season, the new demand is not compensating for the loss in demand related to air travel.

The survey concluded that rental car rates across the country are significantly more affordable than last year, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following compares car rental rates of 50 destinations in the USA. The prices shown reflect the average weekly rates for the cheapest available car rentals in each city, Aug. 1–31.

1. Detroit: $446
2. Memphis: $425
3. Philadelphia: $406
4. Kansas City: $385
5. Pittsburgh: $352
6. Indianapolis: $331
7. Sacramento: $329
8. New York City: $326
9. Anchorage: $325
10. Albuquerque: $316
11. Omaha: $317
12. Charlotte: $312
13. Seattle: $312
14. New Orleans: $302
15. Chicago: $295
16. Minneapolis: $291
17. Raleigh: $287
18. Washington, D.C: $273
19. Oklahoma City: $268
20. Dallas: $259
21. Austin: $254
22. Seattle: $251
23. Portland: $253
24. Baltimore: $253
25. Louisville: $252
26. Cleveland: $251
27. Atlanta: $250
28. El Paso: $245
29. San Diego: $241
30. Boston: $240
31. Fresno: $239
32. Milwaukee: $235
33. Phoenix: $234
34. Houston: $234
35. Nashville: $233
36. San Jose: $224
37. Honolulu: $214
38. Cincinnati: $214
39. Tuscon: $213
40. Jacksonville: $200
41. Oakland: $200
42. St. Louis: $199
43. San Francisco: $198
44. San Diego: $197
45. Las Vegas: $149
46. Columbus: $168
47. Miami: $163
48. Tampa: $157
49. Los Angeles: $130
50. Orlando: $120